Press Clippings 2007/2008
The Gewandhaus Orchestra in London, Turin, Lucerne and Linz
The Gewandhaus Orchestra gave four guest performances abroad in September. On the 5th, 7th and 9th, the Leipzigers appeared under Riccardo Chailly in London during the Proms, in Turin and at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, and on the 16th the orchestra opened the Bruckner Festival in Linz. In the Neue Zürcher Zeitung Peter Hagmann wrote, ". . . this year as well the appearance proved to be a magic moment. . . ." In the Guardian Andrew Clements affirmed that " . . . the orchestra exhibits no signs of complacency whatsoever. . . ." Richard Fairman, critic for the Financial Times, was delighted with the "vivacious, sinuous music-making" and the fact that "in Brahms's Fourth Symphony Chailly kindled a fire that licked upwards from the classically conceived foundation to the highly dramatic conflagration of the Finale." Geoffrey Norris of the Telegraph observed that "Chailly brings exuberant Italian temperament to the orchestra, without jeopardizing its individuality or undermining the intensity of its sonority. The various registers retain the brilliance for which they are so celebrated, and their blend is marvellous." Geoff Brown of The Times heard "Brahms in a surging interpretation, packed with dramatic action." At the opening of the Bruckner Festival, the Oberösterreichische Nachrichten heard "an exemplary performance that was pioneering for the work as such." Der Standard also experienced a "Gewandhaus Orchestra that played superbly."
Gramophone Award
As announced on 3 October 2007 at the presentation ceremony of the 2007 Gramophone Awards in London, the Gewandhaus Orchestra's recording of both Brahms Piano Concertos under Riccardo Chailly with Nelson Freire (piano) has been named "Recording of the Year" and is also the winner in the concerto category.
The "most prestigious awards for classical recordings" (Gramophone Magazine) are given in 15 categories. This is already the second time that the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Riccardo Chailly have been presented with an award by the renowned Gramophone Magazine and its discriminating jurors; the orchestra's recording of Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor with Martha Argerich (piano), available from iTunes, was named "Editor's Choice" in 2006.
The Gramophone Award is the third prize that the Gewandhaus Orchestra under Riccardo Chailly has received for its recordings this year, after winning two ECHO Classic Awards for 2007. In 2006 they received the ECHO Classic Award, the Diapason d'Or de l'année and a Grammy at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards celebration.
